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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Sasha Wagstaff has a heavenly recipe for everyone to love and a book to give away

**Giveaway is now closed**

Today we welcome Sasha Wagstaff, author of "Wicked Games" and her most recent novel "Heaven Scent." "Changing Grooms," Sasha's debut novel, was the Asda Bookclub pick for April 2009. As a young girl she devoured books. She graduated from college with a BA in French and Russian studies. For the next eight years she was an assistant vice president at an investment bank. Sasha began writing during her long commutes to and from work. With the encouragement from her husband, she left her career at the bank and began a full time career as a writer. Sasha lives right outside of Essex in the UK, with her husband and two daughters. Her next novel, "Recipe for Love" will be published in the spring.

Thanks to Headline UK, we have FIVE copies of "Heaven Scent" to give to some lucky readers anywhere in the US and or Canada.Synopsis of "Heaven Scent" (July 2011):A warm, witty and wildly romantic read set in the sizzling south of France…

When Cat Hayes impulsively marries a handsome, penniless French waiter in St Tropez, she didn't realise she'd be widowed in just a few weeks. Neither did she know that her late husband was actually Oliver Ducasse, heir to the Ducasse perfume empire. Invited by the Ducasse family to their glamorous French mansion, Cat finds a family in chaos. What's more she's regarded her with suspicion and hostility, especially by Olivier's playboy cousin Xavier. Will she run for the hills as fast as her high heels can carry her? Or will she realise that she is exactly what this mixed-up family truly needs?

Synopsis of "Recipe for Love" (May 2012):

Summer in a luxurious Italian villa should be a taste of heaven, shouldn't it?

Talented, passionate and notoriously private, Italian chef Rocco Disanti never talks to journalists. So why, when Cassia Blake has just three months to organise her wedding, has he suddenly granted her magazine an exclusive, all-access interview? Against Cassia's better judgement, she hands the wedding planning over to her frosty mother-in-law, and flies out to Italy to spend time with Rocco. But Rocco isn't exactly looking forward to Cassia's arrival. Persuaded to do the interview to help publicise his business, he has enough on his plate with his fiery girlfriend, wedding-obsessed sister and fiercely protective grandmother. And now it seems as if someone is trying to sabotage his restaurants too... Cassia's summer in Sorrento is shaping up to be a recipe for disaster. But could it also be a recipe for love?

Please check out my favourite holiday recipe. I love this recipe because these muffins smell incredible when they’re cooking or when they are re-heated on Christmas morning - and they’re the perfect, speedy breakfast snack to accompany present-opening!

Preheat the oven to 400 F/ Gas mark 6. Line a muffin tin with cases and set aside.

Measure the flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and spices into a large bowl; grate the zest of the clementine into the mixture and combine. (If doing this in advance, leave the zestinguntil Christmas morning – it makes the house smell lovely and festive).

Mix the clementine or orange juice with the milk up to the 200ml mark in a measuring jug.

Add the oil and the egg, and lightly beat until just combined.

Pour this liquid mixture into the bowl of dried ingredients and stir gently until well combined.

Fold in the cranberries (or chocolate chunks – go on, it is Christmas!), then spoon the batter into the muffin tins.

Bake for 20 minutes or so until tops are firm to the touch.

Devour whilst still warm, with a glass of bubbly. Open a present, then treat yourself to another muffin. Happy holidays!

Special thanks to Sasha for sharing her lovely recipe with us and to Headline for sharing Sasha's book with our readers!

How to win "Heaven Scent":

Please comment below with your e-mail address. (Please note:Entries without an e-mail address will NOT be counted. You can use AT and DOT to avoid spam. Or provide a link to your facebook page or blog if you can receive messages there.)

Bonus entries (can be listed all in one post):1. Please tell us: What is your favorite scent?2. Follow this blog and post a comment saying you are a follower (if you already follow, that's fine too).3. Post this contest on Facebook or Twitter or in your blog, and leave a comment saying where you've posted it.4. Join Chick Lit Central on Facebook. Edit settings if you don't want to receive a lot of messages at your e-mail account. Please read our posting guidelines, as well. (If you're already a member, let us know that too.)5. Add a friend to our Facebook group. (Tell us who you added.) Be sure to remind them to edit their settings.

Disclosure of Material Connection:

Some of the links in the posts above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally and believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."